80 ingredients derived from citrus fruit
ReviewThe panel concludes the ingredients are safe if the formula is non-sensitizing and non-irritating, and if leave-on products contain at most 0.0015% (15 ppm) of 5-methoxypsoralen3.
Lemon extract
Lemon extract (CITRUS LIMON FRUIT EXTRACT) is an extract of the fruit of Citrus limon1. Its INCI covers extracts of variable composition, not to be confused with lemon essential oil. The CIR judges citrus fruit extracts safe, leave-on and rinse-off, with at most 0.0015% (15 ppm) of 5-methoxypsoralen in leave-on products3.
Lemon extract at a glance
Entry from our cosmetic ingredient glossary. Regulatory data from the European Commission's CosIng database1 and from consolidated Regulation (EC) No 1223/20092. Copy the identifiers in one click for your files.
- INCI name
- CITRUS LIMON FRUIT EXTRACTUS INCI name: CITRUS LIMON (LEMON) FRUIT EXTRACT1
- Other names
- Lemon extractLemon fruit extract. Not to be confused with the essential oil (CITRUS LIMON FRUIT OIL)1
- CAS number
- 92346-89-9 / 84929-31-7 / 85085-28-5Three numbers for one INCI. CAS 84929-31-7 also appears at line 353 of Annex III, which covers the peel oil2
- EC number
- 296-174-2 / 284-515-8 / 285-359-3In the order of the three CAS numbers above1
- Botanical origin
- Lemon (Citrus limon, Rutaceae)CosIng: extract of the fruit1
- Composition
- Varies with the extractCosIng sets no composition: the INCI covers any extract of the fruit, whatever the part used, solvent and process1
- CosIng functions
- Fragrance, skin conditioning"Fragrance", "Skin conditioning - miscellaneous" and "Skin conditioning - occlusive"1
- EU status
- Not named in Annex III under its INCIOnly the peel oil is named (line 353); as CAS 84929-31-7 is shared, check with the supplier whether your extract falls within this scope2. CosIng refers to Annex II, line 358 (furocoumarins)1
- Photosensitization
- Furocoumarins: Annex II, line 358Prohibited "except for normal content in the natural essences used"; below 1 mg/kg in sun protection and tanning products2
What the research says
Each result shows the protocol and the level of evidence. The higher the level, the better the result carries over to a finished formula.
Clinical trialReview or consensusLaboratory
Safety assessmentsToxicology
47 ingredients derived from the peel
ReviewSame conclusion for peel-derived ingredients: safe in current practices of use if non-sensitizing and non-irritating, with the same 15 ppm limit of 5-methoxypsoralen in leave-on products4.
Light and pigmentationPhotosensitization
Sudden pigmentation after contact with citrus fruit
Case reportsA sudden, painless pigmentation appeared on the hand, with no prior redness. The authors point out that this can be the only sign of a reaction to furocoumarins, especially on dark skin. It concerns the whole fruit, not a cosmetic extract6.
The furocoumarins of lemon oil
LaboratoryOxypeucedanin and bergapten explain almost all of the oil's phototoxicity, with contents varying more than 20-fold by origin7. A fruit extract does not have the same composition as an oil: ask the supplier for the contents.
Skin and UV radiationLaboratory
Lemon peel flavonoids and UVB radiation
LaboratoryThe flavonoids increased catalase and superoxide dismutase activity in serum and lowered malondialdehyde and several cytokines, with a protective effect greater than vitamin C at equal concentration. This is an animal study on a flavonoid fraction (isomangiferin, rutin, astragalin, naringin, quercetin), not on a cosmetic extract5.
No cosmetic clinical trial retained
ReviewWe retained no cosmetic clinical trial on lemon fruit extract. The 2018 review covers citrus essential oils, including lemon8. The evidence is weak: the extract is mostly used as a fragrance and a skin conditioning agent1.
This page summarizes published literature on a cosmetic ingredient. It does not describe the effect of a finished product, which depends on its formula, and it is not medical advice. Evidence is flagged by level: clinical trial, review or laboratory.
Which products can use lemon extract?
No formula in our white label catalog features lemon extract yet. Our formulation lab can add it to a custom formula or to a catalog formula. Its common uses:
Face
Fragrance and skin conditioning agent in lotions, masks and creams for normal to oily skin.
Body
Fragrance in shower gels, scrubs and body creams.
Hair
Fragrance in shampoos and hair rinses.
Lemon extract, lemon essential oil or other citrus extracts?
Three ingredients derived from lemon, which are neither declared nor controlled in the same way.
| Lemon extract | Lemon essential oil | Peel ingredients | |
|---|---|---|---|
| INCI | CITRUS LIMON FRUIT EXTRACT1 | CITRUS LIMON FRUIT OIL | Citrus peel ingredients (47 assessed by the CIR)4 |
| Annex III (allergens) | Not named under its INCI; CAS 84929-31-7 shared with line 3532 | Oil named (line 353)2 | Depends on the ingredient |
| Furocoumarins | Reference to Annex II, line 3581 | Documented phototoxicity7 | CIR limit: 15 ppm of 5-methoxypsoralen in leave-on products4 |
Frequently asked questions about lemon extract
What is lemon extract?
It is an extract of the fruit of the lemon, Citrus limon, registered under the INCI name CITRUS LIMON FRUIT EXTRACT1. Its composition depends on the part of the fruit, the solvent and the process. It is not the same as lemon essential oil, which has its own page.
What are the benefits of lemon extract for skin?
Is lemon extract photosensitizing?
The fruit contains furocoumarins: two people developed pigmentation after contact with citrus fruit and sun exposure6. Annex II (line 358) allows furocoumarins at "normal content in the natural essences" and requires below 1 mg/kg in sun protection and tanning products2. For a leave-on product, the CIR retains at most 0.0015% (15 ppm) of 5-methoxypsoralen3. Ask the supplier for the contents of your extract.
Do I have to declare lemon extract as an allergen?
The extract is not named in Annex III under its INCI: only Citrus limon oil is (line 353). However, CAS 84929-31-7 is shared with that line2. Have your supplier and your safety assessor confirm whether the extract falls under line 353, and whether its named constituents exceed 0.001% leave-on or 0.01% rinse-off.
What is the difference between lemon extract and lemon essential oil?
Is lemon extract safe?
The CIR assessed 80 ingredients derived from citrus fruit and judges them safe in rinse-off and leave-on products, if the formula is non-sensitizing and non-irritating, with at most 15 ppm of 5-methoxypsoralen in leave-on products3. During pregnancy, as with any skincare product, a healthcare professional's advice remains the rule.
Can you manufacture a lemon extract product for my brand?
Yes. Our ISO 22716 certified lab can add a lemon extract to a catalog formula that you customize or to a custom formula, with furocoumarin control. Samples are free.
Further reading
- Fragrance allergens 2026: Canada, EU, USA compliance checklist for white label brandsThe fragrance allergens to declare and what changes as the list is extended
- EU cosmetics regulations in 2026The European framework brands need to know in 2026
- Cosmetics labeling regulations: what changes for brandsThe labeling rules that affect the ingredient list
Sources
Peer-reviewed studies and official regulatory sources, checked on November 3, 2026.
- European Commission. CosIng, entry CITRUS LIMON FRUIT EXTRACT (CAS 92346-89-9 / 84929-31-7 / 85085-28-5, EC 296-174-2 / 284-515-8 / 285-359-3). ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing
- Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council on cosmetic products, consolidated version of 1 May 2025 (Annexes II and III). eur-lex.europa.eu
- Burnett CL, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, Hill RA, Klaassen CD, Liebler DC, et al. Safety Assessment of Citrus Fruit-Derived Ingredients as Used in Cosmetics. Int J Toxicol. 2021;40:5S-38S. doi:10.1177/10915818211039806
- Burnett CL, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, Hill RA, Klaassen CD, Liebler DC, et al. Safety Assessment of Citrus Peel-Derived Ingredients as Used in Cosmetics. Int J Toxicol. 2021;40:77S-99S. doi:10.1177/10915818211032617
- Wang J, Bian Y, Cheng Y, Sun R, Li G. Effect of lemon peel flavonoids on UVB-induced skin damage in mice. RSC Adv. 2020;10(52):31470-31478. doi:10.1039/d0ra05518b
- Choi JY, Hwang S, Lee SH, Oh SH. Asymptomatic Hyperpigmentation without Preceding Inflammation as a Clinical Feature of Citrus Fruits-Induced Phytophotodermatitis. Ann Dermatol. 2018;30(1):75-78. doi:10.5021/ad.2018.30.1.75
- Naganuma M, Hirose S, Nakayama Y, Nakajima K, Someya T. A study of the phototoxicity of lemon oil. Arch Dermatol Res. 1985;278(1):31-36. doi:10.1007/bf00412492
- Dosoky NS, Setzer WN. Biological Activities and Safety of Citrus spp. Essential Oils. Int J Mol Sci. 2018;19(7):E1966. doi:10.3390/ijms19071966
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